Tag: solvang

My Kid Loves Wine Country

Wine country is a magical place for me and now that we’re in the holiday season and about to have our son out of school for 3 weeks for winter recess, it seems that a visit in clearly required.  And yes, My Kid Loves Wine Country, but no, he doesn’t drink the wine (yet).  We as a family have been regularly going from our home in Los Angeles up to the Santa Barbara wine country area, at least 4-6 times a year.  This started when my son was just 3-months old. 

Picture this, Mom and Dad bleary eyed from new parental exhaustion head up to their beloved wine country with their new baby.  The fresh, crisp air instantly awakens their senses and they are excited and happy to be there.  At the first stop, Dad, Mom, and Baby (strapped to Mommy in one of those archaic Baby Bjorn’s).  We’re in the tasting room, enjoying, mingling, chatting with other fellow tasters, and tasting some interesting wines – all while our son sleeps in his holster on one of us at a time.

Wine country is beautiful, and not just because of the awesome wine tasting experience. Here in LA I feel we’re spoiled.  Only a short, 90 minute drive away from crowded, smelly, smoggy Los Angeles – you can be away in farm country.  Vineyard and groves and rolling hills in every direction that you can see.  The air is clean and perfect.

So back to the point – my kid then, and now 7 years later, loves going up there.  Due to state law (and our out preferences) he stays outside of the tasting rooms.  One of us goes in, grabs a taste and notes, and comes back outside to one of the great outdoor picnic areas and we taste together.  My son meanwhile, will see other kids to talk to up there, collect sticks, check out the cool giant leaves, and look for animals (everything from horses, cows, lizards, birds and ostriches).  He just loves being outside, seeing the new environments, and having family bonding time.  Many of the wineries now even have bocce ball courts so we get a little competition in as well.

Wine country can be a fun, family friendly event (yes, read that as moderation!).  Then, don’t forget, the awesome dinner BBQ joints up in the area as all so perfect for kiddies too.

Anyone else bring their kid(s) up to wine country now and then?   Am I crazy or on to something?

Wine Country Preparation – Santa Barbara Region

OK, I’m excited.  This weekend we’re heading up to the Santa Barbara wine country region.  My wife and I love wine, love wine country, and love being away from Los Angeles on weekends like this.  I’d say we head up there 3-4 times a year, minimum.  It’s more or less become a tradition on Mothers Day ever since our almost 7 year old son was born.  Picture a tiny baby, sitting in a Baby Bjorn (baby carier), while Mommy and Daddy talk with people at the tasting bar and compare tasting notes.  Believe it or not, he loves going up to wine country (I’ll talk about this on another post).

So wine country.. I love going!  Being surrounded by people who make their living from the grapes they grown, being surounded by those who cook with and incorporate this wine into everything about their everyday is just so much fun for me.  We often do day trips, but this weekend is a full blown weekend away with friends to celebrate two birthdays.  That gives us, almost 3 full days immersed in the world of wine.

While we don’t want to, or plan to, map out a detailed itinerary, we have decided to scope out the basics so we can maximize tasting and minimize driving.  Day one is simple – drive up, hit a little breakfast joint near the beach in Carpinteria in route, then boogie all the way up to Laetitia Winery.  We’re members here and need to pick up our September wine club shipment.  Since we’re there, why not taste a bit too!  I must say, while we’re members of their sparkling club (the wife loves her some bubbles), they make some awesome reds! 

After that, our friends should have made their way up to the hotel in Buellton so we’ll find a meeting place and jump into one car.  Our opening day will be to hit a few wineries in the area and potentially hit either Hitching Post II or Jocko’s up in Nipomo for dinner.

While we don’t yet know where to hit, some of those on our radar for the rest of the weekend include:  Tantara, Demetria, Sans Liege, Cottonwood, Foxen, Tres Hermanas, Buttonwood, Coquilocot, Pali, and the Lompoc Wine Ghetto.  Both Tantara and Sans Liege are by appointment only, and I think we’ve got one of them booked already for a little 1-1 time with the winemaker.  I’ll report back !

So fellow wino’s, especially you out here on the left coast.  Where do you go?   What do you taste?  Where to eat?   Advice please!!!   I’m not a newbie to the area but love finding that new (or old) hidden gem and getting referrals from other like minded people.

Dont just voyeur on by this little posting – stop, tell, talk, share….

 Cheers, Doug !